“Everyday Heroes” Recognized During Red Cross Month

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 — They deliver food and water during floods. They rush to home fire sites – in Houston, nearly 30 per week – to offer water, blankets and other comforts. They carve out time to deliver hygiene products to homeless veterans and teach children how to prepare for disasters. Others give up weekends to help install smoke alarms in communities where they are needed.

These are American Red Cross volunteers and they, as well as Red Cross donors and others who come together to prevent and alleviate human suffering, are being celebrated as everyday heroes during March is Red Cross Month.

“March has been recognized as Red Cross Month by United States presidents for more than 70 years,” said MaryJane Mudd, Regional Communications Officer, American Red Cross of the Texas Gulf Coast. It shines a light on those who selflessly dedicate their time, talent and treasure to help the Red Cross serve those in need.

In calendar year 2016, more than 4,845 volunteers throughout the Texas Gulf Coast responded to 1,138 home fires, installed 6,351 smoke alarms, educated 2,316 youth in disaster preparedness, opened nearly 3,924 cases to assist military families and veterans, trained 71,672 in First Aid, CPR/AED/Aquatics and Water Safety, distributed 80,000 units of critical blood products to 15 hospitals and provided 1,078 senior and chronically ill people 27,328 one-way trips to important medical appointments.

“We could never do these things without our everyday heroes and we are honored to celebrate them,” said Mudd.

It’s easy to become a Red Cross everyday hero, Mudd noted. People can be ready for an emergency by creating a preparedness plan for their homes or testing their smoke detectors and telling neighbors to do the same.

“We are in critical need of Disaster Services volunteers right now, too,” she added. “Anyone who wants to learn more about that can call 713.313.1611. Finally, donations are always welcome and much needed. Just go to redcross.org to donate.”